The 3 Best Methods for Grilling Chicken

Chicken is easy to make boring, sure, but it can also be looked at as a blank slate — a canvas ripe for variation and fresh flavors. It’s wholesome, healthy, filling, and incredibly versatile. Grilling is just one approach that is not only seasonally appropriate, but also brings flavor and texture to your standard bird. Flames add smoke and char, while marinades season what’s within and protect the meat from direct heat.

Here are three methods for grilling chicken to help you spice up your routine. The first is on skewers, blackened a bit from the flame, and with a distinct bite from the vinegar marinade. The second is steeped in a spiced-yogurt marinade and butterflied so that you can cook the entire chicken in one, even layer. The third is a cutlet infused with fresh herbs and further elevated by a Moroccan-inspired lemon confit. No matter which approach you choose, you’re sure to have a winning chicken dinner with one of these recipes.

Photo by James Ransom

Jerk Chicken Kebabs

This marinade allows citrus fruits to temper and enhance the bite of the sometimes unruly habanero pepper. A little sweet, a little hot, and oh so flavorful! It comes together quickly in the whirl of your blender, which is an extra bonus.

This is a version of everyday roast chicken that takes it to the next level. You bathe it in an intoxicatingly spiced yogurt marinade, butterfly it, and flatten it into a cast iron skillet to roast. However, the butterflying also makes it optimal for the grill because it will cook evenly — just remember to close the grill lid to trap the heat. You’ll get incomparably crispy skin and juicy meat, both brightened by a fragrant rub — a testament to the benefits of grinding whole spices, which bring so much more flavor and aroma.

In the summertime it can be especially unappealing to turn on your oven, especially for a long time. In come cutlets, which are quick and easy to grill. The confit is the star here, though, and it really helps to take this chicken from basic and flavorful to special enough for company. The lemons become soft to the bite and are perfumed with cinnamon and bay leaves.

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Food52

Food52 is a one-stop destination for people who like to eat and live well. Dedicated to supporting, connecting, and celebrating home cooks, Food52 provides the best quality, curated content about food and...read more